Top beach cities

10. We aren’t going to lie to you—you won’t find stunning white-sand beaches in Key West. But Key West is one of our top Beach Destinations because it’s a great place for water activities (if you can do it on the ocean, you can probably do it here), and it has a fun, laid-back island atmosphere. Once the sun sets, Key West’s nightlife is legendary… and literary, thanks to everyone’s favorite author/barfly, Ernest Hemingway.

10. We aren’t going to lie to you—you won’t find stunning white-sand beaches in Key West. But Key West is one of our top Beach Destinations because it’s a great place for water activities (if you can do it on the ocean, you can probably do it here), and it has a fun, laid-back island atmosphere. Once the sun sets, Key West’s nightlife is legendary… and literary, thanks to everyone’s favorite author/barfly, Ernest Hemingway.

9. San Diego: Beaches and bays dot the coast of California's second-largest city. Top-rated, family-friendly Coronado Beach is set among turn-of-the-century mansions. Other gorgeous sandy spots include Blacks Beach, where sunbathers go au naturel, and La Jolla Shores, popular for snorkeling and kayaking.

9. San Diego: Beaches and bays dot the coast of California's second-largest city. Top-rated, family-friendly Coronado Beach is set among turn-of-the-century mansions. Other gorgeous sandy spots include Blacks Beach, where sunbathers go au naturel, and La Jolla Shores, popular for snorkeling and kayaking.